Food Shortages in Sri Lanka: A Conversation with Community Meal Share

<p>Join SWANA collective member Soraya Zarook as she hosts Nadeeka Jayasinghe and Fazeena Rajabdeen of <a href="https://www.communitymealshare.org/" target="_blank">Community Meal Share</a>, a collective formed during the pandemic to distribute hot meals to marginalized communities in Sri Lanka. In recent months, people have gathered to protest across Sri Lanka and in the diaspora as the country faces its worst economic crisis in post-independence history, resulting in extensive power cuts and shortages in essential goods ranging from food and fuel to medical supplies. Amidst these government-created catastrophes, ordinary citizens have been rallying together to provide whatever they can to others in need. <a href="http://www.communitymealshare.org/" target="_blank">Community Meal Share</a> was born out of a simple idea – warm cooked meals regularly provided to communities on a sustainable basis. Local and international donors have supported this team to serve over 5000 meals to 14 communities in 4 districts in Sri Lanka in the first 30 days. Due to the current and ongoing economic and political crisis, they are (unfortunately) preparing to expand their program over the next few months.<strong> </strong>You can find them at Twitter (@EathappySL). To contribute to their essential work, please email <a href="mailto:communitymealshare@gmail.com" target="_blank">communitymealshare@gmail.com</a>. If you miss tomorrow's live show on&nbsp;<a href="http://kpfk.org/" target="_blank">kpfk.org</a>, you can listen to this podcast and our previous podcasts on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3YIefE3bud2ZIxtxgZfAGR" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://anchor.fm/swana" target="_blank">Anchor</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yYTFkMWFlNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==" target="_blank">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.breaker.audio/swana-region-radio" target="_blank">Breaker</a>, and <a href="https://radiopublic.com/swana-south-and-west-asia-and-nor-WYXjgl" target="_blank">Radio